Wayne Byers Show – Morning – May 14

CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Increasing clouds. Isolated rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Temperature falling through the afternoon. Light winds becoming north 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area.

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Northeast winds

5 to 10 mph.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds 5 to

10 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. South

winds 5 to 10 mph.

.SUNDAY…Sunny with a 20 percent chance of rain showers. Highs

in the upper 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs around 80.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the lower 50s.

.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Chance of rain showers and slight

chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s.

Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. A 30 percent chance of rain

showers. Lows in the mid 50s.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Chance of rain showers in the morning,

then chance of rain showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in

the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation.

Fire Danger Rating

 

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown’s Citywide Cleanup collections this week were lower than last year.

Curbside collections were Monday through Thursday this week..

The breakdown:

Monday, 34 tons, in the Southeast

Tuesday, 63 tons in the Southwest

Wednesday, 40 tons in the Northwest

Thursday, 43.11 in the Northeast

Total collected this year 176.26 tons.

The total includes 108 loads hauled to the city baler this year.

That’s the smallest amount since collections in 2016. That compares to the highest amounted picked up in 2019.

Citywide Cleanup was not held last year.

The City Baler/Landfill will be open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, for those wanting to bring items there.

 

 

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

11:00 a.m.

Thurs. May 13,  2021

Barnes

New Positives:  1

Total Positives: 1414

Active: 5

Recovered:  1378

 

Stutsman:

New Positives: 2

Total Positives: 3514

Active: 15

Recovered: 3418

 

ND Case Rates Reported Thursday: 117

TOTAL ACTIVE CASES: 804

TOTAL CASES: 108,877

TOTAL RECOVERED: 106,570

DAILY TEST POSITIVITY 2.95%

Active Hospitalizations: 29

New Death: 1

Total Deaths 1503

 

Previously

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

11:00 a.m.

Wed. May 12, 2021

Barnes

New Positives:  1

Total Positives: 1413

Active: 3

Recovered  1378

 

Stutsman:

New Positives: 1

Total Positives: 3512

Active: 16

Recovered: 3414

ND case rates reported Wednesday

• NEW CASES: 113
• TOTAL ACTIVE CASES: 776
• TOTAL CASES: 108,763
• TOTAL RECOVERED: 106,485
• DAILY TEST POSITIVITY RATE: 3.29%

The rolling 14-day positivity rate at 4.18%

Hospitalizations

• ACTIVE HOSPITALIZATIONS: 32
• NEW DEATHS 0
• TOTAL DEATHS: 1,502

 

Jamestown (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District this week will have COVID-19 Testing at the Jamestown Civic Center in May Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’s from 11-a.m. to 12 noon,  at the Jamestown Civic Center, with the exception of Memorial Day, May 31, using the Rapid Testing, BinaxNow.

By screening with rapid antigen tests, event attendees will be able to receive their test results within 15 minutes via text notification. The test also is less invasive than a PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) test in that it uses a nasal swab to collect a sample from the lower part of the nostril.

If a person tests positive, they should isolate at home immediately and a case investigator will be in touch with them within 24 hours. If the screening yields a negative result, individuals should continue to monitor for symptoms.

Interested individuals should fill out an online survey at testreg.nd.gov for faster registration.

For more information about rapid antigen tests and North Dakota’s screening strategies, visit https://www.health.nd.gov/rapid-antigen-screening

Valley City (CCHD)  City/County Health reports, that testing continues to be important. If you have any symptoms, it is important to be tested. If you have symptoms and need to be tested at other times contact your clinic.

Administrator Theresa Will says Testing is now on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at the CCHD location.

415 2nd Ave NE

She says the testing is drive through at the area adjacent to the west door, with assistance by the National Guard.

The times are  12:30- 1:30p.m.  Quick testing will be available.

Pre-register for all clinics.

She adds that CCHD will be receiving Pfizer Vaccine to administer to 12-15 year olds.

She says  City County Health District will get a survey of how many vaccines will be needed in Barnes County for children in this age group.

Tentative plans are to give the shots at Valley City Public Schools to that age group, on May 21.

 

Bismarck  (ND Aeronautics Commission)  One year after COVID-19 concerns caused the largest monthly decline in airline passenger demand in history, North Dakota’s airports continue their work to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

The state’s eight commercial service airports posted a total of 62,163 airline passenger boardings during the recent month of April. This is a significant increase from the 4,964 passengers experienced during April of 2020 when the aviation industry experienced an astounding 95% decline in passengers due to the initial COVID-19 mitigations being put into place.

The demand for air travel has seen a steady recovery in recent months, however the current passenger counts are still approximately 32% below the normal pre-pandemic levels. The industry has been attributing the recent passenger increases to a recovery in the domestic leisure travel segment of the market.

Aeronautics Commission Executive Director, Kyle Wanner says, “Our airports and aviation industry have endured a long road to recovery since last April when passenger levels dropped 95% as our country worked together to slow the spread of COVID-19. Leisure travel has been growing and allowing for an in initial recovery in air travel demand. As the nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we would also like to see additional business travel begin to cycle back into the market.”

The monthly reports shows that, in April this year, Jamestown airline boardings were 761 compared to 41 in April 2020, effected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease of 1770.73 percent.  The boarding percentage change from 2019 to 2021 was an increase of 10.52 percent.

Year to date through April 2021 boarding were 2,531 compared to 2,456 through April of 2020, an increase of three percent.

Washington  (FAA)  The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the award of more than $898.9 million in infrastructure and safety projects through the FY2021 Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

 

Carrington Municipal Airport – Rehabilitate Runway, Rehabilitate Taxiway $116,000

Jamestown Regional Airport – Rehabilitate Taxiway $2,207,432

Oakes Municipal Airport – Rehabilitate Taxiway, Seal Apron Pavement, Surface/Pavement Joints, Seal Runway Pavement, Surface/Pavement Joints, Seal Taxiway Pavement, Surface/Pavement Joints, $555,633

This total includes $113.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to award all grants at a 100-percent federal share.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, says, “Investing in our nation’s infrastructure is how our country helped spark an aviation industry that now supports millions of jobs.  These Airport Improvement Program grants will help modernize America’s airports and ensure that our air transportation system remains the safest and most efficient in the world.”

Grant projects funded through the Airport Improvement Program promote safety, efficiency, environmental stewardship, infrastructure, and security at the nation’s airports. Today’s announcement includes 488 grants to 447 airports in 49 states and American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. Today also marks the 75th anniversary of the legislation that established federal investment in our Nation’s airport infrastructure.

FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.“These grants represent the legacy and vital role of airport infrastructure grant programs in helping the air transportation system operate safely. Investing in our nation’s infrastructure through AIP grants is a cornerstone of our commitment to safety.”

Valley City  (VCSU)  Valley City State University will hold a spring commencement ceremony on Saturday May 15, to honor its graduating class during the 2021 spring semester. VCSU will recognize 318 graduates – 278 will receive bachelor’s degrees and 36 will receive master’s degrees.

All graduates recognized at the Virtual Commencement Ceremonies in May 2020 and December 2020 have been invited back to participate in the face-to-face ceremony. Face coverings will be required for all attendees.

The in-person ceremony will also be livestreamed on VCSU’s Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/vcsuvikings

Well wishes may be sent to the Class of 2021 on VCSU’s Kudoboard at https://vcsu.kudoboard.com/boards/kcnn9HJO/classof2021. Find or share commencement related content on social media by using #2021Vikings.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The 14^th Annual Running of the Pink 5K Walk/Run – 10K Run will be a hybrid event, meaning it’s available both LIVE and VIRTUALLY.  The live event  on Saturday June 5 starts at R.M. Stoudt at 9-a.m., with registration that day starting at 7-a.m., if not pre-registered.  ALL ages and fitness levels are encouraged to participate.

On Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show, on CSi Cable 2, Tara Kapp from R.M. Stoudt said, to-date, this event has raised over $163,000 for the No Excuses Program through Jamestown Regional Medical Center and Women’s Way through Central Valley Health.

She said 100% of the proceeds stay local and go to those two organizations to make certain there are ZERO BARRIERS between those who need Breast and Cervical cancer screenings and the screenings themselves.  She pointed out that all costs related to the event are being picked up by Casey Stoudt, who is also matching the first $10,000 in proceeds raised.

The registration cost is Early Bird Adult $20, youth 12 and under $15, and seniors 60 and over $15.  After May 15-through June 5 the cost is up $5 in each category.

The virtual event can be completed anytime between now and June 5^th.  Meaning – anyone who signs up for the virtual event can walk or run their 5K or 10K at their leisure.  They can do it on their treadmill at home, on a route of their choosing or on the actual Running of the Pink route which can be found on the running app MapMyRun.  Anyone who participates virtually is asked to post their involvement on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and add the #VirtualROP OR email a photo or story of their participation to rmstoudt@csicable.net so we can celebrate with them.

Those who choose the Live event are asked to pre-register reducing  the amount of congestion at the registration tables the day of the event. Pick up your packets early in the two weeks prior to the June 5 race/walk date, starting Monday May 17.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women race finishing times.

Masks are asked to be worn before and after the race when you’re in closer contact with others outside of your family/friend pods. Jamestown Regional Medical Center, and Central Valley Health District ask participants to consider Vaccinations.

ANYONE who would like to register can do so by picking up a form at the dealership or going to www.stoudtcars.com where forms can be printed OR you can register online for both the live and virtual options.

If anyone has questions they can call 701-252-2270, 800-279-2886, email rmstoudt@csicable.net or message on Google, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Valley City  (Chamber)  Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive, Kay Vinje invites chamber members to a VC Event Ideas meeting, on Tuesday, May 18, from 5:30-p.m., to 6:30-p.m. at The Vault.

She says the purpose of the gathering is to share your ideas, of what events you would like to see in Valley City in the future.  She says, after a long pandemic season of no events, “We’re looking at the future with fresh eyes.

Those unable to attend but have ideas to share can contact the VC Chamber office at 845-1891, or E-Mail chamber@valleycitychamber.com

 

Jamestown  (UJ)  On May 10, 2021, University of Jamestown held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening and naming of their new building, the Schuler Engineering Lab.

UJ’s Vice President of Alumni Relations, Development and Marketing, Brett Moser says, says, “This state-of -the-art engineering lab came to life because of the Schuler family’s generous gift. We are grateful for their dedication to our campus, as well as their ongoing commitment to scholarships for our engineering students.”

UJ began construction on what is now the Schuler Engineering Lab in the spring of 2018, after the University decided to add a mechanical engineering major to their undergraduate program. The new building, which is attached to Sorkness Hall, is home to the senior engineering lab and contains manufacturing, welding, and 3D printing equipment that seniors use to work on their final projects.

The lead donor for the project, George Schuler, graduated from University of Jamestown in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance and currently serves on the University’s Board of Trustees. As the founder of Schuler Development, G. Schuler is an expert in researching, planning, and developing commercial and residential real estate.

The Schuler Engineering Lab has been dedicated to Jack Schuler, G. Schuler’s brother. Explaining why he chose to dedicate the building to his brother, G. Schuler joked, “We all know there shouldn’t be an academic building named after me.”

Schuler is a healthcare investor and philanthropist who founded the Schuler Scholar Program, which helps immigrant, low-income, and students of color succeed in high school and apply to college. The program has enrolled more than 1,400 students in the Chicago area since its founding.

Both G. Schuler and J. Schuler attended the ribbon cutting, as well as their sister, Adele Douglas, and countless nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Also in attendance were former UJ President Dr. Bob Badal, a friend of the Schuler family, current UJ President, Dr. Polly Peterson, and the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $3 million in rent over the next two years in unused office space for a state agency that intends to allow most of its more than 400 employees to continue to work from home indefinitely. Officials say the North Dakota Information Technology Department’s 85,000-square-foot leased space in a newly remodeled privately owned office building in north Bismarck is unoccupied, except for about a dozen employees. The agency says it has favored “teleworking” even before the coronavirus pandemic hit and will continue to do so.

 

Update

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Fargo police have identified the suspect accused of stabbing of three people as a 30-year old woman with no permanent address. She was arrested after a 4-hour standoff with police while she was barricaded inside a vehicle belonging to one of the victims. She voluntarily gave up and was arrested. Police say the woman stabbed a man she knew at a Fargo residence Thursday and then went to the Mexican Village restaurant where she got into an SUV in the parking lot and stabbed two women. The three victims were treated for their injuries and released.

 

In sports:

Jamestown  (KFYR)  The North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee’s will be honored on June 26, 2021, at the Jamestown Civic Center, Jamestown, ND.

Jeff Boschee, Whitney Carlson Bruins, Doug Beaudoin, and Mike Peluso will receive the Cliff Cushman Award as they are inducted into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. Cliff Cushman, A Grand Forks native, and 1960 Olympian lost his life in the Vietnam War. However, his legacy and inspiration live on.

The event includes induction banquet, auction, and awards program.

For more information contact the NDSHF at (701) 252-4835, at the Jamestown Civic Center.  Email Pam Fosse: pfosse@daktel.com or jjackson@daktel.com.

 

NBA..

— Nikola Jokic (nih-KOH’-lah YOH’-kihch) scored 16 of his 31 points in the first quarter as the Nuggets took control before holding off the Timberwolves, 114-103. JaVale McGee had 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Vlatko Cancar scored a career-high 14 points off the bench for Denver. The Nuggets rested Michael Porter Jr. after clinching home-court advantage in their previous game.

UNDATED (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers were unable to clinch the top seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Miami Heat held onto the fifth seed as Jimmy Butler scored 21 points, Bam Adebayo (ad-eh-BY’-oh) had a double-double in a 106-94 victory over the Sixers. Adebayo delivered 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who led 38-22 in the first quarter.

Miami’s Udonis Haslem (yoo-DAH’-nihs HAZ’-lehm) got his first minutes of the season in the first half, scoring four points and getting ejected with two technical fouls in just under three minutes.

Tobias Harris scored 21 points, but MVP candidate Joel Embiid (joh-EHL’ ehm-BEED’) managed only six on 3-for-9 shooting after battling the flu earlier this week.

The outcome puts the 76ers one game ahead of the Nets with two games remaining for each team.

— Devin Booker made two free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining to give the Suns a 118-117 victory over the Trail Blazers. Booker’s winning foul shots were set up when Portland’s Robert Covington was fouled and missed both free throws with 4.4 seconds left. Chris Paul had a team-high 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting as Phoenix climbed within a game of Utah for the top seed in the West with two games remaining.

Checking out Thursday’s other NBA action:

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh) had a dominant performance in the Bucks’ 142-133 win at Indiana. The two-time reigning MVP poured in 40 points grabbed 15 rebounds and had six assists. Jrue Holiday finished with 20 points and 14 assists as Milwaukee pulled within a game of the idle Nets for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

 

— The Clippers earned a 113-90 win over the Hornets as Paul George had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Reggie Jackson drained five 3-pointers in scoring 19 points off the bench, helping the Clippers deal the Hornets their fourth loss in five games. Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who began the day one game ahead of Denver for the third seed in the West.

 

— Bogdan (BAHG’-dahn) Bogdanovic furnished 27 points and Trae Young added 18 as the Hawks cruised to their third straight win, 116-93 versus the Magic. Clint Capela added 14 points and 14 rebounds for Atlanta, which led by 30 midway through the third quarter. The Hawks own the NBA’s longest active home winning streak at 10 games and have won 18 of their last 20 at State Farm Arena.

— Alec Burks provided a season-high 30 points in his return from a three-game absence, powering the Knicks to a 102-98 decision over the Spurs. Julius Randle had 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Knicks, who are a half-game behind Atlanta as they battle the Hawks and Miami for the No. 4 seed in the East. RJ Barrett scored 19 of his 24 points in the second half to help New York secure the victory.

— Dillon Brooks contributed 30 points and the Grizzlies crafted a late rally to knock off the Kings, 116-110. Jonas Valanciunas (YOH’-nuhs val-an-CHOO’-nuhs) had 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Kyle Anderson scored 14 for Memphis.

— Zach LaVine (lah-VEEN’) dropped in 24 points and Lauri Markkanen added 20 as the Bulls beat the Raptors, 114-102. Chicago led by 24 in the third quarter and avoided elimination from the Eastern Conference playoff race.

NBA-NEWS

— Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has reached agreement on his $1.5 billion sale of the club to e-commerce mogul Marc Lore and former baseball star Alex Rodriguez. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the negotiation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Lore and Rodriguez are 50-50 partners.

UNDATED (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets are keeping Mike James for the rest of the season, signing him for the rest of the season following the expiration of his second 10-day deal.

James has appeared in 11 games and started Brooklyn’s victory over San Antonio on Wednesday. He has averaged 7.1 points, 3.7 assists and 17.5 minutes per game.

Also around the NBA:

— The Bucks have signed guard Elijah Bryant, who has spent the last two seasons playing with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. The 26-year-old Bryant averaged 10.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 47% for Maccabi Tel Aviv this season.

— The Warriors have signed forward Juan Toscano-Anderson to a multiyear deal and gave forward Jordan Bell a two-way contract for the remainder of this season. Toscano-Anderson originally signed a two-way contact with the Warriors in December. He is averaging 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 55 games this season.

 

— The NBA has created the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award to recognize players who are making strides in the fight for social justice. Each team will nominate a player before five finalists are selected for the award, which honors the Hall of Fame center and activist. The winner will receive $100,000 for the charity of his choice, and the other finalists will get $25,000 apiece for charity.

NHL…

— David Perron (peh-RAHN’), Brayden Schenn, and Jordan Kyrou (KY’-roo) each scored twice and the Blues erupted for seven straight goals to erase a first-period deficit and beat the Wild 7-3.

UNDATED (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche are this year’s West Division champs in the NHL and winners of the Presidents’ Trophy.

The Avs passed Vegas on the final day of the season by erupting for five goals in the second period of a 5-1 win over the Kings. Tyson Jost scored twice for the Avs, who also received second-period goals from Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Joonas Donskoi (YOH’-nuhs DAHN’-skoy) and Andre Burakovsky (bur-ah-KAHV’-skee).

Colorado and Vegas both finished with 82 points, but the Avs earned the division crown and the Presidents’ Trophy due to more regulation wins. This was the first time the Avalanche have captured the Presidents’ Trophy since 2000-01, when they went on to hoist the Stanley Cup.

Elsewhere on NHL ice:

 

— Elias (eh’-LEE’-uhs) Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk (kah-CHUHK’) each had a goal and an assist for the Flames in a 4-1 win over the visiting Canucks.

MLB

 

UNDATED (AP) — Good pitching, great defense and a pair of homers have run the Chicago White Sox’s winning streak to six games.

Lance Lynn struck out nine while allowing two hits over five innings of the White Sox’s 4-2 win over the Twins. Lynn gave up an unearned run in the fourth inning and was bailed out by Billy Hamilton’s leaping catch at the wall with the bases loaded to prevent further damage.

Four relievers completed the combined five-hitter, but Hamilton came through again with a running catch that saved two runs.

Tim Anderson went deep on Minnesota starter Michael Pineda’s first pitch, two innings before Jake Lamb homered. The round-trippers helped the White Sox improve to a major league-best 22-13.

 

Also around the majors:

— Xander Bogaerts (BOH’-gahrts) and Bobby Dalbec each hit a two-run home run to help the Red Sox pound the Athletics, 8-1 and avoid a three-game sweep. Boston jumped on A’s left-hander Sean Manaea, pounding out 10 hits and seven runs in the first three innings on the way to snapping a three-game skid.

— Rich Hill joined Cy Young and Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers to strike out nine against the Yankees at age 41 or older, one of the Rays’ highlights in a 9-0 dismantling of New York. Austin Meadows smacked a two-run homer and Randy Arozarena (ah-ROH’-zah-RAY’-nuh) added a three-run blast as Tampa Bay avoided a three-game sweep.

— Myles Straw scored on a wild pitch in the 11th inning to give the Astros a 4-3 win over the Rangers. José Altuve (al-TOO’-vay) gave Houston a 3-2 lead in the second on a three-run double down the left-field line.

— Zach Plesac (PLEE’-sak) came within six outs of ending Cleveland’s 40-year no-hitter drought before the Indians settled for a 4-2 win at Seattle. Plesac got all the offense he needed on home runs from Frammil Reyes and José Ramírez.

— Jack Flaherty is the majors’ first seven-game winner of the season after scattering four hits over six innings of the Cardinals’ 2-0 shutout of the Brewers. Milwaukee hurler Corbin Burnes struck out nine among his first 14 outs, giving him 58 strikeouts and no walks this year before he walked Tommy Edman with two outs in the fifth.

— Anthony DeSclafani allowed one hit over five scoreless innings of the Giants’ 3-1 verdict over the Pirates. Steven Duggar’s first home run in nearly two years broke a scoreless tie with one out in the fifth.

— Josh Fuentes slammed a two-run homer for the second straight game and had four RBIs as part of the Rockies’ 13-8 assault on the Reds. Chi Chi Gonzalez scattered four hits over seven shutout innings before Cincinnati exploded for eight runs off Colorado’s bullpen in the eighth inning.

— The Nationals avoided a three-game sweep as Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber hit two-run homers in the first inning of their 5-1 victory over the Phillies. Patrick Corbin allowed one run in seven innings, giving up five hits while striking out a season-high nine to help Washington end a four-game skid and win for just the second time in nine contests.

— Trevor Rogers allowed one run and four hits with seven strikeouts over six innings as the Marlins beat the Diamondbacks, 5-1 to gain a split of the four-game series. Jesús Aguilar (AG-ee-ahr) had three more hits to finish 9-for-17 in the series.

— Bo Bichette had two hits and three RBIs, including a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning of the Blue Jays’ 8-4 comeback win over the Braves. Atlanta was swept in its six-game season series with Toronto and finished Thursday’s game without Ronald Acuña Jr. because of a left ankle injury.

— Spencer Turnbull allowed a run and six hits over 6 1/3 innings as the Tigers dealt the Royals their 11th consecutive loss, 4-3. Detroit scored its runs in the second on RBI singles by Willi Castro, Jacoby Jones and Robbie Grossman and a sacrifice fly by Akil Baddoo.

MLB-NEWS

Realmuto, Torres on COVID-19 IL

UNDATED (AP) — The Phillies have placed catcher J.T. Realmuto (ree-al-MOO’-toh) on the COVID-19-related injured list and recalled catcher Rafael Marchan from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. A player goes on the COVID-19 IL by testing positive himself or for contract-tracing purposes after possibly being exposed to someone who tested positive. Realmuto is hitting .314 with four homers and 16 RBIs.

Also, Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated and having previously contracted the coronavirus during the offseason.

Torres is among eight so-called breakthrough positives among the Yankees, people who tested positive despite being fully vaccinated.

In other major league news:

— Albert Pujols has been formally released by the Angels after clearing waivers, one week after the 41-year-old star slugger was designated for assignment. Pujols became a free agent and can sign with any team willing to pay a prorated share of the $570,500 major league minimum. The Angels would be on the hook for the remainder of his $30 million salary in the final season of a $240 million, 10-year contract.

NFL-NEWS

Bortles inks deal with Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers have signed Blake Bortles as they attempt to add quarterback depth while MVP Aaron Rodgers’ future with the team remains uncertain.

The third overall pick in the 2014 draft will be reunited with Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The 29-year-old Bortles started 73 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2014-18.

Rodgers has reportedly expressed his desire not to return to Green Bay. He had been one of two quarterbacks on the roster along with 2020 first-round draft pick Jordan Love.

PGA-BYRON NELSON

TPC Craig Ranch can’t tame field

McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — The TPC Craig Ranch course was easy pickings for players in the opening round of the Byron Nelson Classic.

Jordan Spieth (speeth) sank a 55-foot putt for eagle on 18 en route to a 9-under 63 and a share of the first-round lead with J.J. Spaun.

Spieth, Spaun and plenty of others had little trouble with the suburban Dallas course. Of the 156 players in the field, 132 were under par and 94 shot in the 60s on the third venue in the past four Nelsons.

Aaron Wise said the course played as easy as it can get. Wise is one shot off the lead, along with Rafa Cabrera Bello, Doc Redman and Joseph Bramlett.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NEWS

Red Storm gives Anderson extension

UNDATED (AP) — St. John’s basketball coach Mike Anderson has been rewarded with a six-year contract extension after guiding the Red Storm to a 16-11 season.

St. John’s went 10-9 in the Big East after being picked ninth in the preseason coaches poll. It marked the first time the Red Storm finished with a league record of .500 or better since 2014-15.

Also in college basketball:

— Texas forward Greg Brown has announced that he is turning pro and won’t return to the Longhorns for his sophomore season under new coach Chris Beard. Brown was a top-10 recruit when he signed with Texas and former coach Shaka Smart. Brown started 24 games last season and averaged 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds, but his minutes diminished late in the season

In world and national news..

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is easing mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. The new guidance announced Thursday is a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life. President Joe Biden said, “Today is a great day for America.” The new guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but it will help clear the way for reopening workplaces and schools. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says: “We have all longed for this moment — when we can get back to some sense of normalcy.”

 

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian families grabbed their children and belongings and fled neighborhoods on the outskirts of Gaza City as Israel unleashed heavy artillery fire and airstrikes, killing a family of 6 in their home. Israel said it was clearing a network of militant tunnels ahead of a possible ground invasion. Israel has massed troops along the border and called up 9,000 reservists as fighting intensifies with the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Palestinian militants have fired some 1,800 rockets, and the Israeli military has launched more than 600 airstrikes and shelled some areas with tanks. As Israel and Hamas plunged closer to all-out war despite international efforts at a cease-fire, communal violence in Israel erupted again overnight and into Friday.

 

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan police say a bomb ripped through a mosque in northern Kabul during Friday prayers, killing 12 worshippers. Spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz says the imam of the mosque was among the dead. Another 15 people were wounded. The bomb exploded as prayers had begun. No one claimed responsibility for the bombing, but initial police investigations suggest the Imam may have been the target, Faramarz said. The explosion comes on the second day of a three-day ceasefire announced by the warring Taliban and Afghan government. The pause was for the Islamic festival Eid-al-Fitr, which follows the fasting month of Ramadan.

 

LONDON (AP) — Ireland’s health service says it has shut down its IT systems after being targeted in a “significant ransomware attack.” The Health Service Executive said Friday that the move was a precaution, and appointments for coronavirus vaccinations were not affected. It said “there is a significant ransomware attack on the HSE IT systems.” It was unclear how wide the disruption was. Dublin’s Rotunda maternity hospital said it was canceling most routine appointments due to the IT problems, calling the situation a “critical emergency.” Health service chief executive Paul Reid said “we at the very early stages of fully understanding the threats, the impact and trying to contain it.”

 

BEIJING (AP) — China says its Mars probe and accompanying rover are expected to land on the red planet sometime between Saturday and Wednesday Beijing time. The China National Space Administration says the probe has collected a large amount of scientific data since entering Mars orbit on Feb. 10 and the window for setting down on an icy area of the planet was determined by “current flying conditions.” The rover is to stay in the lander for diagnostics tests for several days before rolling down a ramp to begin exploring for signs of life. The mission is the first attempt at a soft landing on Mars by a Chinese spacecraft.

 

(AP) The World Bank said it has signed an agreement with Sri Lanka to provide $80.5 million to help the island nation’s vaccination drive against COVID-19. The funding comes as Sri Lanka is facing a severe shortage of vaccines because of the current crisis in neighboring India, which had earlier promised to give the vaccines to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka began it’s vaccination drive on Jan. 29 and in the first round, 925,242 people were vaccinated using Oxford-AstraZeneca shots. At present, Sri Lanka’s health ministry has about 350,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca and as a result, there is a shortage of 600,000 doses in order to complete administering second doses.

 

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares are mostly higher in Europe and Asia after a rally on Wall Street snapped a three-day losing streak that included the biggest drop for the S&P 500 since February. Shares rose in Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo but fell in London and Singapore. Technology stocks and semiconductor makers, which were hurt hard earlier in the week, have been among the bigger gainers. On Thursday, the S&P 500 surged 1.2% as prices for commodities including crude oil fell back after surging in recent weeks. Rising prices have raised concern central banks might backpedal on stimulus policies, hampering the recovery from the pandemic.